The Inconvenience of the Lipid Hypothesis for Many Vegan Advocates

     The lipid hypothesis of atherosclerosis says that high serum cholesterol levels come as a causative factor in the development of atherosclerosis.  In other words, there exists a significant, real, statistical relationship between high cholesterol levels in the blood and atherosclerosis.  It does not say that high blood cholesterol levels (hypercholesterolemia) causes atherosclerosis and consequent atherosclerotic events (heart attacks, strokes, angina, etc.) necessarily, but rather that blood cholesterol levels come as a causative factor.  Since usually foods high in saturated fats and dietary cholesterol can raise serum cholesterol levels to a high level, or keep them at a high level, and since plant foods are not generally high in saturated fat and have no cholesterol in them, it would seem to follow that the lipid hypothesis would work out well for those who wish to advocate for a vegan diet.

      However, the easiest and simplest way to advocate for a vegan diet comes as to advocate for a diet that qualifies as vegan while having as few other restrictions as possible.  But, a diet developed with the lipid hypothesis in mind does not allow for this.  First off, trans-fatty foods can significantly elevate blood cholesterol levels.  Thus, the lipid hypothesis makes french fries, many brands of potato chips, foods with partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, and many other conventional vegan snack food products all potentially, if not actually, poor choices for your heart, your brain, and the blood flow in your body.  Second, foods high in simple sugars can significantly elevate blood cholesterol levels.  So, via the lipid hypothesis many, if not most brands of soft drinks, energy drinks, foods with high fructose corn syrup, fruit juices, etc. can elevate serum cholesterol levels.  Third, refined sources of carbohydrates, such as white bread, semolina pasta, white rice, etc. can elevate serum cholesterol levels.  Fourth, many oils due in part to their concentrated level of saturated fat can elevate serum cholesterol levels.  There no doubt exist many more inconvenient "diet-heart" ideas in accordance with the lipid hypothesis, which do NOT work out as convenient for those that would advocate veganism, since they end up implying potential problems with some vegan diets.  It is by no means impossible that, were they to understand it and its implications, some vegans might intensely dislike the lipid hypothesis for this very reason.